"Blogger" n. Someone with nothing to say writing for someone with nothing to do. This is the blog of Eric Swanson containing the developing thoughts and reflections on the externally focused church, the kingdom of God and what I see God doing in the world, in my life and the life of my family and friends. I also occassionally throw in a little commentary on good restaurants I like along with a few pictures.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Jeff's Coming Home...on Friday!

Yea, Jeff is going to make it back from Baghdad! Got news for sure yesterday that Jeff will leave Baghdad after 17 months of active duty...away from is wife and the past year in Bagdad...the past five months away from his son. We feel so blessed to have him return. It looks like he's going to make it. Jeff will arrive in El Paso on Friday with his unit that he's served with in Iraq. Liz, Kacey and I will drive down on Thursday to be with Ashlie, Gentry, and Ashlie's family to wait for Jeff.

Jeff's had one of the most dangerous jobs in the theatre--a gunner on a an armored Humvee. He told me the other day on the phone that they are well trained...experts in what they are trained to do. We're so proud of Jeff. He's a warrior who followed in the footsteps of both his grandpas. I'd like to put myself in that lineage but my service in the Army Reserve was limited to cooking for the troops.

So awesome. I am sure it will be like a Norman Rockwell painting when the hero returns! BTW, don't sell yourself short on being an army cook. Someone said 'an army moves on its stomach.' Was it General Patton or General Mills?

GI "Joe!" We are so very proud of you. Thanks for serving and for saving so many Iraqes from the peril of a country under evil influence and control. You and your comrades are to be elevated above the highest of American men and women.

About Me

Eric has been married to Liz since 1977. They have three children. Son Andy and his wife Natalie live in East Asia and are proud parents of their baby daughter, Jenda Zoe (b. 12/18/06). Son Jeff returned February, 2005,from serving our country in Baghdad with the 126th MP Company for one year. Jeff and his wife, Ashlie, have one baby boy (b. 9/8/05), Gentry David. They are both in their last year at the University of Colorado. Daughter Kacey was married to Erik Olson on May 27, 2006. Erik works and Kacey will graduate from University of Northern Colorado in December.
Eric and Liz served with Campus Crusade for 25 years before Eric joined Tango as Director of Charitable Investing. He is the co-author of "The Externally Focused Church," "Living a Life on Loan," and has written several published articles on churches that are serving their community. In partnership with Leadership Network (www.leadnet.org) Eric serves as a Leadership Community Director for Externally Focused Churches. In June of 2007 he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Bakke Graduate University (bgu.edu).